  Shows teens who are living under the terrible strain of a family member’s addiction the strategies they can rely upon to help them cope. This clear and information-packed program sends the strong message that children don’t cause, can’t control, and can’t cure their family member’s addiction. The nature of addiction and drug abuse, as well as the resulting family problems, are also explored. Mia never invites friends over to her house anymore because her father’s behavior is unpredictable when he drinks. He always seems to have a "reason" for why he needs a drink — often implying that Mia or her mom are causing his problems. Josh’s brother Kevin is always hitting him up for cash and Jason knows that he is using the money to buy drugs. Kevin even entangles Jason in lying to his parents about his drug use. Frustrated and worried, Jason tries to take control of Kevin’s problem by throwing out Keven’s stash of pot. Woven throughout is the advice from a narrator who shares facts about addiction, its typical effects on family members, the risks of drug addiction to teens with a family history of drug abuse, and practical approaches for coping with the stress while remaining supportive of family members. (23 min) c2002 |